Captain Bill Dowling receives help to sit up from his sister Mary Harrison, left, and a family friend Courtney Rainville, right, at Dowling's therapy room located in his home in Tomball. The exercise consists of sitting Dowling up and then allowing him to hold the position on his own to strengthen his core. less

Captain Bill Dowling receives help to sit up from his sister Mary Harrison, left, and a family friend Courtney Rainville, right, at Dowling's therapy room located in his home in Tomball. The exercise consists ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

Captain Bill Dowling receives help to sit up from his sister Mary... Photo-6026426.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Bill Dowling picks up a baseball and points to the basket where he will drop the ball, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball. Dowling has to repeat the coordination exercise of transporting baseballs from one basket to the other ten times. The exercise takes a lot of his energy. less

Bill Dowling picks up a baseball and points to the basket where he will drop the ball, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball. Dowling has to repeat the coordination exercise of transporting baseballs from one ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

Bill Dowling picks up a baseball and points to the basket where he... Photo-6026430.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Bill Dowling shares a smile after he is able to incline himself forward successfully touching his friend's finger with his nose without somebody supporting his body. Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball.

Bill Dowling shares a smile after he is able to incline himself forward successfully touching his friend's finger with his nose without somebody supporting his body. Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

Bill Dowling shares a smile after he is able to incline himself... Photo-6026432.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Bill Dowling's sister, Mary Harrison, right, and a close family friend Courtney Rainville, left, help Dowling sit back on his wheelchair after over an hour of rehabilitation therapy, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball. less

Bill Dowling's sister, Mary Harrison, right, and a close family friend Courtney Rainville, left, help Dowling sit back on his wheelchair after over an hour of rehabilitation therapy, Friday, March 14, 2014, in ... more

Captain Bill Dowling shares a smile with his family, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball. Every smile from Dowling is a gift to his family. Dowling suffered serious brain injuries and lost both his legs after fighting a massive motel fire on May 31, 2013. less

Captain Bill Dowling shares a smile with his family, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball. Every smile from Dowling is a gift to his family. Dowling suffered serious brain injuries and lost both his legs after ... more

Bill Dowling goofs around with one of his birthday balloons during a family get-together, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball.

Bill Dowling goofs around with one of his birthday balloons during a family get-together, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

Bill Dowling goofs around with one of his birthday balloons during... Photo-6026451.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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John Dowling, Captain Bill Dowling's brother holds the helmet the captain used during the motel fire that caused serious injuries to Bill Dowling, including the loss of both his legs. Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball. less

John Dowling, Captain Bill Dowling's brother holds the helmet the captain used during the motel fire that caused serious injuries to Bill Dowling, including the loss of both his legs. Friday, March 14, 2014, in ... more

Captain Bill Dowling sits back for a family evening drive in his Jeep around Tomball, Friday, March 14, 2014.

Captain Bill Dowling sits back for a family evening drive in his Jeep around Tomball, Friday, March 14, 2014.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

Captain Bill Dowling sits back for a family evening drive in his... Photo-6026457.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A welcome back home sign still is in place since the arrival of Captain Bill Dowling to his home in Tomball the day before Thanksgiving 2013 after six months in the hospital. Friday, March 14, 2014, in Tomball. less

A welcome back home sign still is in place since the arrival of Captain Bill Dowling to his home in Tomball the day before Thanksgiving 2013 after six months in the hospital. Friday, March 14, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

A welcome back home sign still is in place since the arrival of... Photo-6026458.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Captain Bill Dowling is the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal, Saturday, March 15, 2014. His family will dress him with his firefighter officer uniform when they arrive to the parade so he can be comfortable during the drive from Tomball to Houston. Dowling suffered serious brain injuries and lost both his legs after fighting a massive motel fire on May 31, 2013. less

Captain Bill Dowling is the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal, Saturday, March 15, 2014. His family will dress him with his firefighter officer uniform when they arrive to the parade so he can be ... more

Captain Bill Dowling is the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal, Saturday, March 15, 2014. His family will dress him with his firefighter officer uniform when they arrive to the parade so he can be comfortable during the drive from Tomball to Houston. Dowling suffered serious brain injuries and lost both his legs after fighting a massive motel fire on May 31, 2013. less

Captain Bill Dowling is the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal, Saturday, March 15, 2014. His family will dress him with his firefighter officer uniform when they arrive to the parade so he can be ... more

Captain Bill Dowling's hands rest on top of a lap quilt made with t-shirts from different fire departments that were gifted as a caring gesture to him and his family. Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Tomball.

Captain Bill Dowling's hands rest on top of a lap quilt made with t-shirts from different fire departments that were gifted as a caring gesture to him and his family. Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Tomball.

Foster Dowling, 12, covers his dad's head with a beer motive hat as part of the preparations to go to the 55th Annual Houston St. Patrick's Parade, Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Houston. Dowling is this year's parade grand marshal. less

Foster Dowling, 12, covers his dad's head with a beer motive hat as part of the preparations to go to the 55th Annual Houston St. Patrick's Parade, Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Houston. Dowling is this year's ... more

Bill Dowling heads to the car with the help of his son Foster Dowling, 12, on their way to Houston to participate on the 2014 St. Patrick's Parade. Capt. Dowling will be the parade's grand marshal. Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Tomball. less

Bill Dowling heads to the car with the help of his son Foster Dowling, 12, on their way to Houston to participate on the 2014 St. Patrick's Parade. Capt. Dowling will be the parade's grand marshal. Saturday, ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

Bill Dowling heads to the car with the help of his son Foster... Photo-6026485.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Captain Bill Dowling, left, is all ready and buckled up for the drive from Tomball to Houston to participate on the 2014 St. Patrick's Parade with his wife Jacki Dowling, right, and children. Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Tomball. Dowling is the 55th Annual Houston St. Patrick's Parade grand marshal. less

Captain Bill Dowling, left, is all ready and buckled up for the drive from Tomball to Houston to participate on the 2014 St. Patrick's Parade with his wife Jacki Dowling, right, and children. Saturday, March ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle

Captain Bill Dowling, left, is all ready and buckled up for the... Photo-6026489.82007 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The 55th annual St. Patrick's parade Grand Marshall Houston Fire Captain William Dowling and his wife Jacki Dowling center, speak with Houston Mayor Annise Parker before the start of the parade Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Houston. less

The 55th annual St. Patrick's parade Grand Marshall Houston Fire Captain William Dowling and his wife Jacki Dowling center, speak with Houston Mayor Annise Parker before the start of the parade Saturday, March ... more

The 55th annual St. Patrick's parade Grand Marshall Houston Fire Captain William Dowling, center, his family and Houston Mayor Annise Parker pose for a photograph before the start of the parade Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Houston. less

The 55th annual St. Patrick's parade Grand Marshall Houston Fire Captain William Dowling, center, his family and Houston Mayor Annise Parker pose for a photograph before the start of the parade Saturday, March ... more

The 55th annual St. Patrick's parade saluted Houston's first responders this year. Houston Fire Captain William Dowling was this year's grand marshal. His wife Jacki Dowling helps him prepare for the parade as his daughter, Faith, looks on. less

The 55th annual St. Patrick's parade saluted Houston's first responders this year. Houston Fire Captain William Dowling was this year's grand marshal. His wife Jacki Dowling helps him prepare for the parade as ... more